Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1887-03-31


by this most fatal and foolish measure.
We regard 1t not only as breach Of per-
sonal faith, but as threatened subver-
sion of the Constitution in making slave.
ry national institution, and IS tending to
subvert the Union. And now, after
lapse Of more than thirty years, still re-
gard 1t as nothing less than crime, and,
therefore, |, with the great mass Of North
ern Wings and Democrats, as patriotic
duty, resolved so far as / could, | would
secure to Kansas and Nebraska free in
stitutions. and thus restore the "statu
quo." This was done, as thought. by
the election of Abraham Lincoln. Had
this election been acquiesced in, the
South now knows how kind, forbearing
and conservative would have been his
policy, for, Of all the public men have
met. he more than any other. combined
the loving kindness of woman with the
moderation and wise forethought Of q
statesman. He could truly say that he
would have charity for all and malice
toward none"
In all this preliminary struggle the
majority of the people Of Tennessee stood
neutral in the sectional contest, They
stood for the Union and the C0nslitu
tion and the enforcement OF the lava.
They voted for Bell and Everett on this
broad national platform. and. If / am
not mistaken In current history. they
were unwillingly drawn by Democratic
politicians into the fratricidal contest.
But when in 1t they did their duty man.
fully and bravely, each man according
TO his convictions of duty. Your peo.
pie divided on opposite lines and bore
more than your share of the terrible
losses and sacrifices Of the war. 1t Is
over. thank Godl but the courage, brave
ry and fortitude of both siass are now
the pride and heritage OF us all. Think
not that l come here TO lreproach any
man for the part he took 10 that fight
or TO revive in the hearfs ofiany one the
triumph OF victory or the pangs of de-
feat. | do not come to make apologies
nor do | ask any of you The war
was perhaps unavoidable, bound to come
some time, and the sooner ended the
better. All that l claim is hat the Re-
publican party was actuatel, not by a
spirit of hate or conquest or revenge,
hut only by fervent love Of the Un-
ion and determined purpose to main
tain the Constitution, as theyunderstood
it. No man in the North qhestions the
honesty of purpose or the hfroism with
which the Confederates maipsained Their
cause, and you will give crd3it for like
courage and honorable motivesto Union
soldiers, North or South.
WHEN THE WAR WAS OYER
the people of the North heartily ap
proved the generous terms granted by
General Grant to Gen. Lee ard the Con.
federate troops, and hoped and wished
that the people OF the South should bt
restored to all their rights and privi
leges, subject only to such conditions a.
honor and good faith seemed to demand
arising out of the proclamation of Presi
dent Lincoln ior tthe thse epancipssion, Z Of III y
Of sasfs sIsverS adSse de felb Necessary es result
the war, and. it seemed to- us II tn
slaves were to be, free they must bc armed
with the privileges Of freemeh, and thes
were secured to them by Constitutions
amendments. The attempt TO enforc
these rights by national authority ha
thus far partially failed, and now 1t !
conceded that under the limitations 0
the Constitution the rights Of the citizel
of State can only be enforced through
State or national tribunals and wher
public opinion is intolerant and juror
will not do their duty, citizen. eithe
white or black, may be WITHOUT remed
for the grossest wrong, except the righ
to migrate to where his rights will b
respected. Our institutions are base
upon the idea that such denial of right
! Is impossible, and trust that the time
not far distant when the people OF ever
State will feel 1t to be both just and eS
pedicnt that every citizen Of the Stat
shall be protected in the free and equt
enjoyment of every right and privileg
conferred by the Constitution OF tn
United States. The Republican party
pledged to this policy, and, though it'wi
use no unconstitutional means to secur
rights, II would be false TO Its prime
,, pies il it did not use all Its moral an
!. legal power to that end. No wrong ca
be done to the humblest citizen and n
right withheld without reacttng upon tl
community at large. Twas glad to hei
in passing through several Of the Soutl
! ern States, conservative citizens say th'
public sentiment now revolts at the III
lawful methods to defeat the free exc
else of the equal rights Of citizens thl
have been adopted in several States, IN
are still practiced in what are known
the black counties of the South. AS lor
> as such methods are resorted to the
!, will be the keen sense of wrong and inju
= tice by the injured parties, and those wi
: practice such offenses will in the er
: suffer for 1t. Sectional feeling will co
!, tinue to exist as long as large masses
u people, whether poor or rich. white
= black, are denied their rights to share
: self government 1t sets a bad examr
! which the criminal elassesin the Nor
I have, in some cases, eagerly adopted
. cheat ut elections. rs In Cincinnati ty
years ago. 1t also produces inequality
!, representation between the North al
J the South, and this keeps lup section
!. lines In party politics. Il opens the vi
J. to the corruption and fraud which
y time destroys all pretense Of Republic
y government EMA
u u But there Is another ground upon viii
prefer 10 DaSe my appear 10 Inc pOu
). for justice and fair play 10 the Afric
II race. 1t was recently eloeuently stat
7, e in debate by Senator yes'Aof Nilsson
:, thai:
y II have nothing to say toany man W
y thinks that / to-day would grind the A
! rican race out Of one cent If any IN
y. y. In this world has reason 10 betheir frier
~ / am that man--raised with them, nurs
y =. by one of them, and humble owner
u them as inherited property. i ne'
q, bought or sold one for gain in my II
" " They are docile. gentle inoifensl
~ ~ race, and the Southern man who wo,
" wrong them deserves to bh blotted fr
the roll of manhood. When our wi
Sc and children were In their hands DUR
ut the war, they acted SO as TO make ev
by man in the South their friend, who
IL one particle Of manhood about him.
as II this be SO, as all history aitests. Il
ny we may appeal TO the manly spirit Of
Of own race to protect these freedmen #
,r- the lawless injustice and cruelty OF
L H.. a ll..x